If a rabbit defined intelligence the way man does, then the most intelligent animal would be a rabbit, followed by the animal most willing to obey the commands of a rabbit. -Robert Brault, writer (b. 1938)

Lol, I`m on the pre list. A pair of `Rachaels` to bridge..but stilldeciding what config...and trying to convince myself I dont need the CSP2+as well... I could be fighting a loser.mmmm...that`ll be 3 power chords...no tubes, cos I cant resist swoppingthem...choices, choices, choices. :)

I was looking at the isoblocks on the mapleshades site.Could be what I need under my rack if all the components and shelves are stuck down with sorbathane. They are a gimme price. Might do for my speakers as well. Sittting on spikes which go into the old wood flooring I cant help thinking there might be a sounding board effect which couldbe cleaned up. ..Syd

Well, they're worth a shot. I used to use them under the maple platforms that sit on my rack. Steve Herbelin mentioned that others are suing Grungebuster dots under the platforms in place of the IsoBlocks and I tried that and. . .well I'm not sure it was a big difference, but I left the dots under the platforms.

May be a good thing under the speakers. In my case I think they would raise the speakers too high, effecting the ear/tweeter height ratio, which makes a difference to me that I don't want to hear.

This has probably been mentioned here, but bear with me, please: Don't you want to dissipate vibration(s) from components and speakers?... That is, conduct them in a controlled way into some other medium?... I know that is what sorbothane does... Turns vibration into heat, right?... (m.)

If a rabbit defined intelligence the way man does, then the most intelligent animal would be a rabbit, followed by the animal most willing to obey the commands of a rabbit. -Robert Brault, writer (b. 1938)

That's what I thought initially too. Apparently, the isolation is against incoming vibration generated by the actual sound waves generated by the speakers as these reflect from the surrounding structures, especially the floor, and not those inherently created inside the components.

So, the isolation is usually aimed at creating a vibration barrier, not a vibration drainage, with the exception, I think, of microphonic vibration generated by the tubes, which are mitigated by those rings at the upper mica edge.

I'm just learning here, don't take my word for it ... I think Lon's link (we crossed messages, sorry), may explain it much better.

Well I`ve just ordered 30 grungebuster dots.I thought job done with the sorbathane, butyou know, for $27 it`s worth an experiment.Still not my final solution but that will be whenmy system is complete and I start fine tuning.

I'm going to chime in here again: When I tried tube dampers, I perceived a certain deadening of the sound, and removed them... I can only surmise that some of the errant energy reaching the amp and tubes was actually adding something that was aesthetically pleasing to the sound... Just like second order harmonics generated by single ended circuit topology enhance the sound somehow...

We all know that certain woods like those in a violin are critical to the overall sound presentation... So why not the woods chosen for your audio equipment to sit on?... Also, can the wood itself be responsible for producing its own sound when excited by acoustical energy?...

We don't seem to want a speaker cabinet adding artifacts to the room, but what if they were pleasing artifacts?... Like a good violin?... (m.)

If a rabbit defined intelligence the way man does, then the most intelligent animal would be a rabbit, followed by the animal most willing to obey the commands of a rabbit. -Robert Brault, writer (b. 1938)

Thats what I thought FB. The idea was to damp external vibrations and not electrical microvibrations. You might beable to damp the chassis but the microvibrations are stilloccuring and exiting the phonos. When units go on QCthese vibrations must be small enough to discount. Still,fine tuning must have real results.....

I agree that wood can be euphonic, I use maple platforms, and one myrtlewood one. Each system is different, there's a balance that can be obtained different ways, and we all have different tastes.

I used to be more "scientific" in my youth but now I guess I care less about how or why things work than I do the results of their action. I find playing about with isolation/coupling to be as much fun, maybe more so than tube rolling. I like the tube dampers, in my system I don't hear deadening so much as . . .focusing? A clarity, less fuzziness. But that's in MY system, all I can really talk about with any credulity or sincerity.

Well I`ve just ordered 30 grungebuster dots.I thought job done with the sorbathane, butyou know, for $27 it`s worth an experiment.Still not my final solution but that will be whenmy system is complete and I start fine tuning.

Marky, will be interesting to hear your impressions of the Grungebuster dots.

I still have Sorbothane in two places in my system: I have two "Zen Stands" and These have a layer of Sorbothane under the top piece of wood. These stands are nice, really well sized for Decware components, and sound pretty "quick" so in this instance I haven't been bothered by muddiness as I was when using Sorbothane feet in the past.

Okay...Mr Herbies grungebuster dotsWith sobathane ;Track1 side 1 G.Deads `Terrapin Station`- As I`d popped in the RCA 5R4GY into the ZP3 I was wallowingin the room filling sound. Bass was radiating into centre stage,guitars chopping rythms both sides of stage with nice presenceThis was the main focus of my attention. What was that playingthe solo break ? Electric moogy synth ? It was floating right to front centre. The engineer had done a great job.

With Grungebuster dots.I removed all the sorbathane from tt su ph p/p and 2 platforms,top platform spiked. Replaced all with G/dots, and doubled upon the tt with the 3 pieces left over. Replayed track.The radiating bass was now more focused to where the player stood and not spilling into the middle ( bloated?) There was alsomore power shifts to be felt (moving air) More natural. Guitarsnow had the ability to extend more back to front so that somenotes were heard a la head phones. More focused. That solo instrument was now definately an alto sax ( I hope ) :)

Considering these are Herbies entry level product I was pleased.Getting rid of the sorbathane and replacing it with G/dots was a+ve. I could have been stuck with that c*** for some time withoutthis thread. Bodes well for Herbies in Spring after my new D/Waregear is firmly seated and I stop buying tubes. 8-)

Interesting results, marky. I wonder what types did you get (sheets, dots, thick or thin dots, square or round dots, an assortment)? Looks like a good starting point if these are significantly more affordable than the more complete solutions (i.e., ISO Cups, Fat Dots, Tender Feet, etc.).